Question

unit 3 section 8: creating the constitution
this sections objective is:

• compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the articles of confederation to those of the new constitution.

under the articles of confederation...

• people are starting to realize that the ______ is too weak to deal with the country’s problems
• ______________________________ after the war - trade fell due to

____ shutting off ____ markets, and damage to southern land

• any money earned would go to ______________________________ to foreign countries

shay’s rebellion

• 1786 - ____ farmers led by ____ forced courts to close in order to stop

______ from illegally taking farmers’ lands (for not being able to pay
______ at state level)

• 1787 - shays led supporters to ____________________ from arsenal to arm themselves
• ______________________________ called in to stop farmers, militia shot four men
• what’s the big idea? - frightened ______, made them wonder if the government

could ______ and prevent violence
the constitutional ______

• leaders from states that wanted a ______________________________ called the convention to

____________________ in september of 1786 (hamilton’s idea)

• began in ______, lasted through a scorching summer
• ______ delegates total
• age range of ______
• goal was not just to ______ the articles, but to write a new

______ altogether

• father of the constitution = ______ (primary author)
• george washington was chosen to ______ lead the convention
• all decisions would be based on ______ majority rules
• all doors and windows were kept closed (in the middle of a record hot summer!) in order to keep all topics

____ secret ____

• two alternate plans for government were proposed:
• ______ (edmund randolph va)
• ______ (william paterson nj)

Explanation:

Filled in the missing blanks using key historical facts about the Articles of Confederation, Shay's Rebellion, and the Constitutional Convention.

Answer:

Under the Articles of Confederation...

• People are starting to realize that the Articles of Confederation is too weak to deal with the country's problems
• Economic depression after the war - trade fell due to British taxes shutting off foreign markets, and damage to Southern land
• Any money earned would go to pay off debts to foreign countries

Shay's Rebellion

• 1786 - Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays forced courts to close in order to stop creditors/state tax collectors from illegally taking farmers' lands (for not being able to pay debts/taxes at state level)
• 1787 - Shays led supporters to seize weapons from arsenal to arm themselves
• State militia called in to stop farmers, militia shot four men
• What's the big idea? - Frightened political leaders, made them wonder if the government could maintain order and prevent violence

The Constitutional Convention

• Leaders from states that wanted a stronger national government called the convention to meet in Annapolis, Maryland in September of 1786 (Hamilton's idea)
• Began in May 1787 (Philadelphia), lasted through a scorching summer
• 55 delegates total
• Age range of 40s (26 to 81)
• Goal was not just to revise the Articles, but to write a new Constitution altogether
• Father of the Constitution = James Madison (primary author)
• George Washington was chosen to lead the convention
• All decisions would be based on majority rules
• All doors and windows were kept closed (in the middle of a record hot summer!) in order to keep all topics secret
• Two alternate plans for government were proposed:
• The Virginia Plan (Edmund Randolph VA)
• The New Jersey Plan (William Paterson NJ)